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Oklahoma's crumbling Capitol is getting closer to having a face-lift

The Oklahoma Long-Range Capitol Planning Commission first will address Capitol repairs and later will develop an eight-year plan to address other infrastructure, repair and maintenance issues with other state buildings and properties.

Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation into law Tuesday that sets up the process for Oklahoma's crumbling state Capitol to get a face-lift.

House Bill 1910 forms a state board that will oversee repairs to the state Capitol and create a pay-as-you-go plan to fix other state buildings.

The Long-Range Capital Planning Commission also will provide recommendations on reallocation, reuse or liquidation of state properties.

“It's important we maintain and improve state assets rather than watching them deteriorate,” Fallin said.

“House Bill 1910 puts us on a path to ensure state infrastructure and buildings like the Oklahoma Capitol are well-maintained and cared for.”

The measure was part of a three-bill package of priorities agreed to late last month that was sought by Fallin and Republican legislative leaders. The other measures lowered the state's top personal income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 5 percent in 2015 and changed the workers' compensation court to an administrative system.

House Speaker T.W. Shannon, author of HB 1910, said the intent of the bill is to take care of the state's building needs without seeking a bond issue to pay for repairs or new buildings.

“The signing of this bill shows this Legislature's commitment to becoming better stewards of the people's buildings and the taxpayers' money,” said Shannon, R-Lawton.